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Divergent Inequalities: Theory and Empirical Results

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Author Info
Wolfson, Michael C
Abstract

Widely used summary measures of inequality or the idea of the 'disappearing middle class' are potentially misleading. Divergences between evidence cited and conclusions drawn include failing to distinguish between the concepts of inequality and polarization, and using scalar 'inequality' measures which are not consistent with rankings based on Lorenz curves. In addition, inappropriate claims about trends in inequality can arise from focusing on only a subpopulation, such as full-time male workers, and failing to account for sampling variability. These divergences are illustrated using Canadian data on labor incomes over the 1967 to 1994 period. Copyright 1997 by The International Association for Research in Income and Wealth.

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Article provided by Blackwell Publishing in its journal Review of Income & Wealth.

Volume (Year): 43 (1997)
Issue (Month): 4 (December)
Pages: 401-21
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Handle: RePEc:bla:revinw:v:43:y:1997:i:4:p:401-21

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  1. Iñaki Permanyer, 2008. "The Measurement of Social Polarization in a Multi-group Context," UFAE and IAE Working Papers 736.08, Unitat de Fonaments de l'Anàlisi Econòmica (UAB) and Institut d'Anàlisi Econòmica (CSIC). [Downloadable!]
  2. Joan Esteban & Debraj Ray, 2007. "A Comparison of Polarization Measures," UFAE and IAE Working Papers 700.07, Unitat de Fonaments de l'Anàlisi Econòmica (UAB) and Institut d'Anàlisi Econòmica (CSIC). [Downloadable!]
  3. Heisz, Andrew, 2007. "Income Inequality and Redistribution in Canada: 1976 to 2004," Analytical Studies Branch Research Paper Series 2007298e, Statistics Canada, Analytical Studies Branch. [Downloadable!]
  4. Van der Berg, Servaas & Louw, Megan & Burger, Ronelle, 2007. "Post-Apartheid South Africa: Poverty and Distribution Trends in an Era of Globalization," MPRA Paper 9065, University Library of Munich, Germany. [Downloadable!]
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  5. Duclos, Jean-Yves & Esteban, Joan & Ray, Debraj, 2003. "Polarization: Concepts, Measurement, Estimation," Cahiers de recherche 0301, CIRPEE. [Downloadable!]
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  6. Paul Makdissi & Thierry Roy & Luc Savard, 2008. "An ethnic polarization measure with an application to Ivory Coast data," Cahiers de recherche 08-06, Departement d'Economique de la Faculte d'administration à l'Universite de Sherbrooke. [Downloadable!]
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  7. Huesca, Luis, 2004. "¿Desaparece la clase media en México?: Una aplicación de la polarización por subgrupos entre 1984 y 2000
    [Is the middle class vanishing in Mexico?: An application of polarization by subgroups b    ," MPRA Paper 14390, University Library of Munich, Germany. [Downloadable!]
  8. Farhad Noorbakhsh, . "Human Development and Regional Disparities in India," Working Papers 2003_12, Department of Economics, University of Glasgow. [Downloadable!]
  9. Ma Casilda Lasso de la Vega & Ana Urrutia & Henar Diez, 2008. "Unit-consistency and polarization of income distributions," Working Papers 100, ECINEQ, Society for the Study of Economic Inequality. [Downloadable!]
  10. Heisz, Andrew, 2007. "Inégalité et redistribution du revenu au Canada : 1976 à 2004," Direction des études analytiques : documents de recherche 2007298f, Statistics Canada, Direction des études analytiques. [Downloadable!]
  11. Farhad Noorbakhsh, . "Spatial inequality and polarisation in India," Working Papers 2004_5, Department of Economics, University of Glasgow. [Downloadable!]
  12. Carlos Gradín & Máximo Rossi, 2006. "Income distribution and income sources in Uruguay," Journal of Applied Economics, Universidad del CEMA, vol. 0, pages 49-69, May. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  13. Yoram Amiel & Frank Cowell & Xavier Ramos, 2007. "On the Measurement of Polarisation: A Questionnaire Study," IZA Discussion Papers 2686, Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA). [Downloadable!]
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  14. Farhad Noorbakhsh, . "The Dynamics of Spatial Inequality and Polarisation in Iran," Working Papers 2003_17, Department of Economics, University of Glasgow. [Downloadable!]
  15. Carlos Gradín & Máximo Rossi, 2001. "The distribution of income in Uruguay: the effects of economic and institutional reforms," Documentos de Trabajo (working papers) 0301, Department of Economics - dECON. [Downloadable!]
  16. Juan Gabriel Rodríguez, 2006. "Measuring Bipolarization, Inequality, Welfare and Poverty," Working Papers 39, ECINEQ, Society for the Study of Economic Inequality. [Downloadable!]
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  17. Frenette, Marc & Green, David A. & Picot, Garnett, 2004. "Croissance de l'inégalité du revenu pendant les années 1990 : exploration de trois sources de données," Direction des études analytiques : documents de recherche 2004219f, Statistics Canada, Direction des études analytiques. [Downloadable!]
  18. Walter Bossert & William Schworm, 2007. "A Class of Two-Group Polarization Measures," Discussion Papers 2007-34, School of Economics, The University of New South Wales. [Downloadable!]
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